Russian Men’s Hockey Team Crashes Out of Olympics

Knocked out after 3-1 quarterfinal loss to Finland

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A Russian supporter reacts during the Men's Ice Hockey Play-offs Quarterfinals match between Finland and Russia on February 19, 2014.

The Russian men’s hockey team—widely seen as the jewel in the host country’s crown at the Sochi Olympic games—has been eliminated after a dispiriting 3-1 loss to Finland Wednesday.

The Russians only made it to the quarterfinals, dashing hopes that the team had a strong shot at gold, reports the New York Times. The loss comes shortly after the host country’s team lost in a shootout to the United States in a preliminary round.

Between 1956 and 1991, the Soviet Union won the Olympic gold in hockey in seven of nine appearances, but since 1992, Russia has only won two medals on the ice: a silver in 1998, and a bronze in 2002.

A photo of Putin looking gloomy circulated on social media after the game, but it was actually taken several days before at Russia’s 1-0 victory over Slovakia.

[NYT]